Building Confidence & Community through the ELLA Program at Tully Magnet Elementary

At Tully Magnet Elementary, the ELLA program (English Language Learning for Adults) has become a powerful space for refugee and immigrant women to build English skills, confidence, and community, all supported by volunteer women in Tucson.

"ELLA is a by-women, for-women English education class," said intermediate-level teacher Nastassja Barnes, who helps students learn grammar, reading, speaking, and everyday written language. "These are women who may not know how to fill out a form yet. Our job is to help them learn how to write sentences, read, and speak a little better."

For Barnes, teaching is also joyful. "My favorite part is when we get to do the fun activities," she shared. "I love hearing them laugh and encourage each other... watching them be creative and having fun."

Program founder Dawn Skinner began ELLA in 2018 after volunteering with refugee families. "I felt called to help women with their number one greatest need, learning English and being introduced to American women," she said.

Today the program serves women from countries around the world, including more than 34 nations represented over the past eight years. All teachers and table leaders are volunteers, and classes run 11 months a year, continuing through summer by request.

For Skinner, the power of the program is in the relationships. "Many of these women already bring so much courage with them," she said. "They just need a safe space, a community, and someone to walk alongside them as they learn."

With support from Tully Elementary and the surrounding community, ELLA continues to grow as a welcoming place for women to build friendships while gaining language skills that help them navigate daily life.

"If you know a woman who needs help learning English or just wants community, everything is free," Skinner added. "Just come try us out."